Ron Cephas Jones dead at 66: This Is Us star – who won an Emmy for the role – passes away due to a ‘long-standing pulmonary issue’
- A rep for Jones confirmed his passing tragic passing on Saturday
- The actor, 66, died after complications from a long-standing pulmonary issue
- He is best for his Emmy-winning guest role on the hit NBC drama This Is Us
Ron Cephas Jones passed away at the age of 66 after complications from a long-standing pulmonary issue, according to People.
A representative for the actor told the outlet via an official statement – ‘Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him.’
The statement concluded with, ‘He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in Clyde’s on Broadway.’
Known best for his Emmy-award winning guest role on the hit NBC drama This Is Us, Ron had been acting since his first film appearance in the 1994 movie Murder Magic.
The accomplished late actor is survived by his daughter, 34-year-old Hamilton star Jasmine Cephas Jones.
In memoriam: Ron Cephas Jones passed away today at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue, according to a representative for the actor; seen in October 2021
Accomplished actor: The late This Is Us star was nominated for an Emmy four consecutive times for his performance on the NBC series
Truly starting off as a bonafide thespian, Ron got his start on the stage after performing at the Nuyorican Poets Café with the lead role in the 1994 production of the stage play Holiday Heart.
The versatile actor would go on to play the titular character in Shakespeare’s Richard III in New York City at the Public Theater, in addition to appearing in several stage productions in Chicago, among others.
After years of gathering acting credits in various films and television shows, the Luke Cage star captured the world’s attention with his portrayal of Randall Pearson’s (Sterling K. Brown) biological father in This Is Us.
As his acting career was picking up, the stage and screen star started to date British singer Kim Lesley.
Although the couple never tied the knot during the span of their relationship, Kim did give birth to Ron’s only daughter Jasmine in 1989.
The doting dad proudly pointed out that Jasmine was his, ‘superstar daughter’ when they jointly announced the 2021 Emmy nominees.
He was referring to the fact that they both won Emmys in 2020 – Jasmine for her performance in the Quibi series #FreeRayshawn, and Ron for This Is Us.
During the awards nominations announcement, the Hamilton songstress joked that her father was embarrassing her, to which Ron replied, ‘I’m sorry sweetheart…But, we did kinda make television history last year. I mean, I know I’m partial but I think your Emmy is the most beautiful Emmy in all the world.”
Dating dad: The late This Is Us star was close to his only daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones; seen in June 2021
Stage star: Although he’s best known for his This Is Us role, Ron had a prolific career in theater, getting his start in acting with stage productions; seen in 2014 in a production of ‘Of Mice And Men’
Leaving a legacy: Nominated four times for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for This Is Us, Ron would go on to win the coveted award twice; seen in This Is Us
Million dollar smile: The late Looking For Alaska star made it clear how proud he was of his daughter for winning her own Emmy; seen in August 2019
Continuing their heartwarming father and daughter banter during the 2021 Emmy nominations announcement, the Blindspotting actress joked that her Emmy looked up to her dad’s Emmy, ‘very much.’
With a dry sense of wit, the Dolemite Is My Name actor replied, ‘Wait a minute, which one? Because I have two.’
The pair made Emmy history with their wins, being the first father and daughter duo to take home collective Emmys the same year in the history of the noted awards program.
Tributes for the late actor are already pouring in on social media, with many that knew him remembering Ron for his authentic spirit.
The Photograph actress has yet to publicly comment on her father’s sad passing.
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